This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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8374
CHINA TRADE.
Rec
CONFIDENTIAL.
Inc 6 MAR 07,
[February 13.]
SECTION 2.
[4883]
No. 1.
Memorandum communicated by the American Embassy.
GREAT BRITAIN advised the United States, in Sir Edward Grey's letter of the 22nd November, 190, that His Majesty's Government was willing to take part in a Joint Commission or joint investigation of the opium trade and the opium habit in the Far East by the United States, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, China, and Japan, if the other Powers agreed, and if, as regards China, the inquiry extended to the production of opium in China as well as to the import of foreign opium.
Since then the United States has received a similar favourable response from the Government of Japan; the co-operation of China seems also assured by the Imperial Rescript of the 21st November, 1906.
The United States is now inquiring from France, Germany, and the Netherlands whether they would be willing to join in a Conference on the opium question, or whether, if deemed more convenient and practical, they would be prepared to name Commissioners, who would concert with like Commissioners of the other Powers named, to investigate the subject. In the latter case either a joint recommendation of the Powers would be expected, or, in case of divergence of opinions, a statement to each Government for its consideration, with a view ultimately to united action or to coincident action by each Government in its own sphere.
The United States would be glad to learn which of the two courses above suggested would seem to His Majesty's Government the more convenient and acceptable.
February 11, 1907.
[2367 n-2]
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